DDR2 memory performance, in timings and required voltage, are equivalent on the AM2 and Core 2 Duo platforms. This was clearly illustrated in Conroe vs. AM2: Memory & Performance. However, the first generation of AM2 on-processor memory controller does not support any memory timings below 3, or memory speeds above DDR2-800, while both these features are supported on the Intel platform. Timings of 2 are available for RAS-to-CAS and RAS Precharge, and DDR2-1067 is a memory speed option on most Intel motherboards. The lack of extended memory timings and memory speeds makes it more difficult to test the newest high-speed DDR2 memories on an AM2 platform.

For these reasons, the Intel platform is the current AnandTech test platform of choice for DDR2 memory. The Core 2 Extreme processor, which has available speed multipliers both up and down, is the processor of choice. Both the Intel and NVIDIA chipsets for Intel Core 2 Duo Socket 775 processors provide the DDR2-1067 memory ratio option, as well as other intermediate values and values higher than DDR2-1067 with some high-end DDR2 memory. When changes are made in future AMD and Intel products the memory test platform will be examined again.

The ASUS P5W-DH is the latest 975X board in the ASUS family and it fully supports all the Core 2 processors. The P5W-DH Deluxe replaced the P5W-D2-E Premium used in past DDR2 reviews. A review of the updated ASUS P5W-DH Deluxe is available in the Conroe Buyers Guide.

Since the Core 2 Duo/Extreme processors run at a quad-pumped FSB of 1067 (base 266), instead of the FSB800 used on earlier Intel processors, the available options on the P5W-DH Deluxe at FSB1067 are particularly well-suited for benchmarking memory when a Core 2 chip powers the system.

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29 Comments

The last week has seen a sudden drop in memory prices. There are quite a few DDR2 800 modules in the 200 price (-1/+30-40) range on newegg with better timings.
G.Skill F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK is one of the products out there ($204) with rated timings of 4-4-4-12. I realize anandtech posted another g.skill ddr2 800 review a few days back, but i am pretty sure this is different. I think things are looking better in the memory side of things and prices should stabilize in the affordable range even for enthusiast memories soon (hopefully). Right now the trend is ridiculous. Reply

It would have been nice for them to look at several memories, I'm not even sure why they tested this module except the manufacturer is launching the product and needs press. When you are looking for valueram and there are products that are more than 15% cheaper, that's what the budget minded are looking at. I want to know how the $200 sticks work and I want to see them compared with each other, similar to the treatment the high end stuff gets. Reply

It would have been nice for them to look at several memories, I'm not even sure why they tested this module except the manufacturer is launching the product and needs press. When you are looking for valueram and there are products that are more than 15% cheaper, that's what the budget minded are looking at. I want to know how the $200 sticks work and I want to see them compared with each other, similar to the treatment the high end stuff gets. Reply

quote:The crude packaging is gone and has been replaced by new designs with strong corporate identity. You can also see the attractive new heat spreaders that coordinate with the package theme. These are all clear indications that Super Talent is serious about competing in the desktop memory market.

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Since when is pretty good? The article is ok, but this line made me laugh. Reminds me of dells new pretty cases and the crap inside. Not all dells are crap but please dont buy a gaming rig from them and expect a true gaming computer. Reply